We could not hold this conference and offer such an unbelievably low price to participants without the support of our sponsors and partners. Please take the time to read about them below. We will be adding more as the planning progresses!
- For sponsor information, please contact Reno Walsh at 406-580-5919 or reno@zephyradventures.com. In your email, please mention “Wine Bloggers Conference” as we also run other conferences.
- Once you have determined your preferred sponsorship level, you can register on our WBC Sponsor Registration Form.
- Please note we discourage events not included in the official agenda for a variety of reasons: they often are invite only, which is against the spirit of the WBC; if planned during the WBC they pull from our scheduled events; and they take advantage of the WBC’s gathered bloggers without supporting the conference itself. If you have an idea for an event before, during, or after the conference, please contact us to discuss sponsorship.
- If you would like to host a future Wine Bloggers Conference, please complete our Host Application.
Conference Organizer
Your conference organizer is Zephyr Adventures. Zephyr Adventures (@ZephyrAdventure) operates trekking, hiking, biking, and multi-sport tours throughout the world. Zephyr’s active wine tours specialize in getting travelers up close and personal with not just the wineries but the vineyards of the world. In addition to Zephyr’s active tours, its sister company Taste Vacations runs beer, wine, food, and spirits tours around the world which leave the physical activity at home. We welcome you as a partner and invite you to join the Taste Vacations Affiliate Program to earn commissions of $300 and more per referral. Zephyr Adventures also organizes the Wine Tourism Conference with the associated Wine Tourism Day plus the International Food Blogger Conference and Beer Bloggers Conference.
Elite
The Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association represents our host location, a destination with breathtaking scenery, a rich history, and world-class wine. The Finger Lakes Wine Country boasts over 100 wineries centered around the region’s four main lakes: Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka and Canandaigua. These wineries are responsible for yielding 90% of the total New York wine produced each year.
Corning Enterprises is the Economic Development and Community Development arm of Corning Incorporated, the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Corning Enterprises supports many local organizations including the Corning Museum of Glass, the Downtown Gaffer District, and several local chambers of commerce and economic development bodies.
The Elmira Corning Regional Airport, 12 miles away from the conference host hotel, is by far the closest and most convenient airport to use. The airport has direct flights from Chicago, Detroit, Orlando, and Philadelphia. The airport is the Official Transportation Provider of the conference and in addition to serving as the hub airport will be providing airport shuttles to the host hotel and back (see Details page for specifics), transport for the Friday afternoon wine country excursions, and shuttles back to the host hotel after the Saturday evening party.
Grand
Surrounding the sapphire waters of Seneca Lake, the 34 member wineries of the Seneca Lake Winery Association invite you to experience a destination rich in history, beauty, and the production of world-class wines. Located in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes Region, the climate supports not only the growth of hardy native grapes and premium hybrids, but also more delicate varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir.
The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail offers a unique blend of award-winning wines, scenic waterfalls, and local gourmet eateries. The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail is the first organized and longest running wine trail in the country. Over 5,300 national and international medals have been earned over the years. Among these awards are six Governor’s Cups and Winery of the Year three years in a row.
Founded in 1951 by Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated) as a gift to the nation for the company’s 100th anniversary, The Corning Museum of Glass is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to telling the story of a single material: glass. The Corning Museum of Glass cares for and displays the world’s best collection of art and historical glass, has hands-on exhibits, and offers glass making demonstrations and classes. The CMoG will host the Saturday evening Wine Blog Awards presentation and post-dinner party. @corningmuseum
Banfi Vintners was founded in New York in 1919 by John F. Mariani, Sr. and built into America’s leading wine marketer over the last four decades. The company continues to be family-owned by the founder’s children and grandchildren, who are also proprietors of the Castello Banfi vineyard estate in Montalcino, Tuscany; Vigne Regali Cellars in Strevi, Piedmont; and Pacific Rim Winery in Washington’s Columbia Valley. @BanfiWines
Founded in 1988, Montes Winery was the brainchild of Aurelio Montes, Sr. and Douglas Murray, both veterans of the wine industry. Along with partners Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand, they created Montes Winery with the goal of elevating the quality and reputation of Chilean wines, both in Chile and around the world. In the past twenty-five years, Montes Winery has become a benchmark for Chilean wine, and has played a pivotal role in enhancing awareness, affinity, and acclaim for wines from Chile. @MontesWines
Kaiken Winery: Founded in 2001 by renowned Chilean Winemaker Aurelio Montes Sr, KAIKEN, now led by second generation winemaker Aurelio Montes Jr., produces singular wines from Argentina’s distinct varieties beyond Malbec – working with the region’s most unique terroir to produces wines of true character, personality, elegance and expression.
Terroir. Tannins. Mouthfeel. Minerality. These are words we could use when talking about Ribera y Rueda from Spain, but if we had to start with one word, it would simply be this…Sí. Sí to “let’s try something entirely new.” Sí to pairing well with Netflix and dim sum. Sí to “I’ve got no time for boring wine.” Sí to knowing the good stuff. No, it’s not the traditional wine tasting spiel, but Ribera del Duero reds and Rueda whites are anything but traditional. For wine and food lovers who are always up for something a little different, Sí What’s Next with Ribera y Rueda. The openly original wines from Spain. @RiberaRuedaWines
Powerful enough for CNN and the New York Times, flexible enough to create any site you can imagine, simple enough for your Aunt Mary to reblog cat photos: WordPress.com has you covered, whatever you’re publishing to the web. WordPress.com is a community of millions of bloggers just like you, making use of hundreds of beautiful, easy to customize design themes to create anything from photoblogs to magazines, wedding albums to restaurant websites, and everything else in between. With mobile apps to easily create and manage content on the run, and intuitive, great looking ways to share all your media, WordPress.com lets you sign up in seconds, and start publishing in minutes.
Few wine regions can claim pure expression—Alsace is an exception. A top white wine region in northeast France, Alsace is home to a patchwork of 13 distinct soil types, more than any other French wine region. Together with an extraordinary climate—one of the driest in the country—each of Alsace’s terroirs yields its own expression of noble grapes, such as Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. Every swirl of the glass releases aromatic layers of floral or mineral character, and every sip reveals fresh and vibrant fruit. That’s the pure expression of Alsace. To learn more, find us on Facebook at Wines of Alsace USA and Twitter at @drinkAlsace
Corning’s Gaffer District is known for its exceptional shopping, dining, arts and beautifully restored buildings, just steps away from the world famous Corning Museum of Glass and our host hotel. Nearly half of a million people visit Corning annually, to tour The Corning Museum of Glass and explore the Finger Lakes region. A gaffer is a master glassblower and our name is a tribute to Corning’s glass heritage.
Visitors to The Rockwell Museum experience Art About America — the people, land and ideas that shape America through the eyes of American artists. The Rockwell Museum is located in the very heart of Corning, just steps from the shops on Market Street, in the historic 1893 former city hall. With three floors of outstanding art, The Rockwell is the perfect location for our Friday evening Wines of New York State event.
New York’s Finger Lakes region has the glacier-sculpted landscapes, ideal microclimates, and gifted winegrowers to produce fresh, vibrant, wines, including world-class Rieslings. @FLXwine
Bottlenotes produces The Daily Sip™, an e-newsletter on all things wine, reaching 350,000 subscribers each day. The content directs readers to interesting people and products, new grape varieties and regions, as well as interviews with the some of the most fun, innovative and provocative people in the wine world.
Spanish winemakers from the neighboring regions of Ribera del Duero and Rueda, located just northwest of Madrid, have announced their first-ever collaborative campaign. Targeting open-minded Millennials looking to discover and uncover the new and different, the “Si What’s Next” campaign asks people to say “yes!” or “si!” to new experiences, new adventures, and new wines. Steeped in history and innovation, and united by geography and ethos, both regions offer thoughtful, elegant wines poised for unpretentious enjoyment – whether they’re paired with barbecue or oysters. @RiberaRuedaWine #SiWhatsNext
New York State features 11 beautiful vacation regions. New York’s attractions span from landmarks such as Niagara Falls to the wine trails of Hudson Valley and treasures like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Whether it’s wide-ranging outdoor activities for the whole family like hiking, culinary wonders and farm-to-table fresh foods, snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding, or the rich history and culture of one of the 13 original colonies, New York State offers diverse activities for all travelers. For more information, visit www.iloveny.com. Media can find press releases and more at thebeat.iloveny.com.
The Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) is the dedicated economic development organization for Steuben County NY. SCIDA provides certain real property, sales and mortgage recording tax benefits in lease financing or revenue bond transactions to qualifying industrial and commercial entities. In addition, the organization serves as a broker for economic development incentives and programs offered in Steuben to attract and retain businesses.
Premier
Jordan’s philosophy is to elevate the pursuit of excellence in every aspect of the business; to remain dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and hospitality; to maintain the balance of elegant wine to accompany epicurean mastery. Achieving the highest level of quality is the goal and drives every decision. Once again Jordan will share their philosophy, their wine and their hospitality with conference attendees as the official host of an evening reception. This is an event everyone looks forward to each year.
Villa Trasqua has a muse in the night sky. Hans Hulsbergen purchased the winery in 2001, with a vision toward the future and reaching for the stars. It is this spirit of discovery and adventure that propels Hans and his family to pursue excellence not only in the winery, but beyond… way beyond. In fact, they are the official sponsor winery of XCOR, the US-based rocket ship program that will take ordinary citizens (and Villa Trasqua wine) into space. Here on earth, winemaker Franco Bernabei specializes in bringing the Sangiovese grape to new enological heights, which is appropriate since the winery is located on the ancient high plateau named Trasqua in Castellina, a sub-region of Chianti Classico where the wines will take you to the stars.
The Keuka Lake Wine Trail represents the wine region around Keuka Lake, whose spectacular beauty and glacially-deposited soils inspired early grape cultivation and the birth of America’s wine industry in 1860. Its wineries craft some of the world’s most beautifully balanced and vibrant wines, and the local wineries take equal pride in the warmth of their hospitality. Experience a truly memorable getaway. Visit anytime.
BeverageTradeNetwork.com is connecting the beverage alcohol industry by bringing wineries, breweries, distilleries, beverage brand owners, importers, distributors, wine brokers, beer brokers and other beverage professionals together.
The Tasting Panel magazine is the most widely circulated trade publication in the beverage industry, reaching an audience of thousands of key decision-makers every month. Manning the ship is renowned wine & spirits veteran Anthony Dias Blue as Editor-in-Chief and longtime wine & spirits publisher and executive editor Meridith May. With their expertise, experience and esteem, they collectively have their finger on the pulse of the beverage industry.
America’s #1 brand of gluten free crackers, Crunchmaster offers delicious and nutritious varieties to satisfy consumer crunch cravings, without the guilt. In addition to being certified gluten free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization, Crunchmaster crackers are made with simple ingredients and packed with whole grains, cholesterol free and low in saturated fat. It has several products that are NON-GMO verified. @luvcrunchmaster
Since 1981, wine producers of Montefalco have joined together in the Montefalco Consortium. This association is responsible for coordinating with local producers and guiding them in both constant quality research and the promotion of the quintessential wines of their territory. The association (which currently has 213 members) represents more than 82% of the certified production of Montefalco Sagrantino and Montefalco Rosso in the region. @ConsSagrantino
Salton is the oldest, still operating winery in Brazil. Its history dates back to 1878 when Antônio Domenico Salton, an amateur-winemaker, emigrated from Italy to Brazil in hopes of new opportunities. Vinîcola Salton was officially established in 1910 by Antônio’s seven sons—Paulo, Ângelo, João, José, Cézar, Luiz and Antônio. The brothers began growing grapes and producing still and sparkling wines. Today, Salton is run by the third and fourth generations of the Salton family. @SaltonUSA
Wines of South Africa (USA) is the not-for profit trade organization supporting all South African wines in the U.S. market. Supported by a levy on all South African wine exports, we strive the raise awareness of the quality and diversity of the country’s wines, wine regions, and long vinous history. @wosa_usa
Bros. USA (aka Dr. Loosen Imports) is the sole U.S. importer for the wines of celebrated Riesling producer Ernst Loosen, including Dr. Loosen (in Germany’s Mosel valley) and Villa Wolf (in the Pfalz). In addition, our portfolio features a select group of wines from around the world, made by good friends of Ernst. This “Friends of Erni Loosen”portfolio now includes: Weingut Robert Weil (Rheingau), Maximin Grünhaus (Ruwer), Fritz Haag (Mosel), Wittmann (Rheinhessen), Domaine de Bellene (Burgundy), Bodegaz Nuñez (Rías Baixas, Spain), and J. Christopher (Willamette Valley, Oregon). @drloosenwines
The Lodi Wine Commission represents 750 winegrowers farming nearly 100,000 acres of wine grapes, the largest grape-growing region in the US in terms of acreage. The Lodi region has a history of grape growing dating back to the 1860s, now sports 750 growers and 75 wineries, and has the industry leading sustainability program.
Coravin is focused on transforming the way wine is served, sold, and enjoyed. The Coravin System uses proprietary patented technology to access and pour wine from a bottle without pulling the cork. Wine enthusiasts can enjoy wine sealed with corks without feeling the need to commit to the whole bottle, allowing them to explore wines of any vintage, varietal or region, one taste at a time. With Coravin, wine, after being accessed, remains in the bottle, continuing to evolve naturally. It can then be enjoyed later since it was never exposed to oxygen. For more information, visit www.coravin.com
Event
Lieb Cellars will continue to produce and deliver the highest quality estate-grown wines, without compromising the land on which we live. @liebcellars
Wines of Ontario invites consumers to experience and learn why 100% locally grown Vintner’s Quality Alliance (VQA) wines taste better. Wine Country Ontario is dedicated to promoting Ontario’s wine-growing regions – Niagara Peninsula, Prince Edward County and Lake Erie North Shore.
Made in the US from strong corrugated Kraft cardboard, our wine Spirited Shippers are layered with extra cushioning and include a special insert for each and every bottle for safe and secure shipping. Light weight and tough, our wine shipping containers are environmentally safe, fully recyclable and made with recycled material. They ship flat, saving you money and valuable storage space. @spiritedshipper
Nomacorc is the worldwide leader in alternative wine closures and the leading closure brand for still wines in many countries including France and the U.S. @nomacorc
Wine Trail Adventures is a social network that rewards you for exploring the 5000+ wineries in the U.S. Check into wineries, review their wines, and share your experiences with your friends and other members, while following your favorite wineries and get up to date info about what is going on. At the same time, you will be accumulating points and collecting badges for free wine related products.
Brix is the first line of chocolate specifically blended to complement wine. This full-bodied, luxurious chocolate is specially crafted to awaken your taste buds and enhance the flavors of your favorite wines.
Live White Wine Blogging
Fulkerson Winery @fulkersonwinery
Keuka Spring Vineyards @KeukaSpring
Three Brothers Wineries and Estates @3broswine
Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars @drfrankwine
Fox Run Vineyards @foxrunvineyards
Standing Stone Vineyards @SSVNY
Hunt Country Vineyards @huntwines
Glenora Wine Cellars @glenorawine
Red Newt Cellars @flxnewt @gregtumbarello
Atwater Estate Vineyards @atwaterwine
Lucas Vineyards @LucasWinetalk
Wagner Vineyards @WagnerVineyards
Bellangelo @villabellangelo
Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard @hermanjwiemer
Americana Vineyards and Winery @americanawine
Goose Watch Winery @GooseWatchWines
Idol Ridge Winery @idolridge
Montezuma Winery @montezumawinery
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards @hazlitt1852
Boundary Breaks Vineyard @BoundaryBreaks
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars @LamoreauxWine
Casa Larga Vineyards & Winery @CasaLargaWinery
Live Red & Rosé Wine Blogging
Damiani Wine Cellars
Ventosa Vineyards
J.R. Dill Winery
Fox Run Vineyards @foxrunvineyards
Standing Stone Vineyards @SSVNY
Chateau LaFayette Reneau @clrwine
Knapp Winery @knappwinery
Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars @drfrankwine
Sheldrake Point Winery @sheldrakepoint
Heron Hill Winery @heronhillwinery
Lakewood Vineyards @lakewoodwines
Hosmer Winery @HosmerWinery
Lucas Vineyards @LucasWinetalk
Wagner Vineyards @WagnerVineyards
Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard @hermanjwiemer
Americana Vineyards and Winery @americanawine
Swedish Hill Winery @SwedishHillWine
Idol Ridge Winery @idolridge
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards @hazlitt1852
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars @LamoreauxWine